If you walked out this morning and felt like the energy in the city had shifted just a little bit, you aren’t alone. It’s not just the crisp January breeze—it’s the spiritual clock ticking. The UAE Council for Fatwa has officially confirmed that Tuesday, January 20th, marked the first day of the Islamic month of Shaaban 1447 AH.
For us living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the Emirates, this isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s the official “one-month warning.” The Holy Month of Ramadan is now knocking on our doors, and the preparations are about to kick into high gear.
Whether you are a longtime resident or new to Sandy City, here is everything you need to know about the announcement, the “Winter Ramadan” we’ve all been waiting for, and the sweet traditions coming up in the next two weeks.
The Official Word: Why Tuesday?
Let’s clear up the confusion for anyone who was scanning the skies on Sunday evening.
The start of Islamic months is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon. On Sunday evening (January 18), the UAE’s moon-sighting committees and astronomical centers were out in full force. However, due to “unfavourable atmospheric conditions”—a polite way of saying the skies were too hazy or the moon set too quickly—the crescent couldn’t be spotted.
In Islamic tradition, when the moon plays hide-and-seek and isn’t sighted on the 29th day, the current month must complete a full 30-day cycle. So, the month of Rajab officially wrapped up its 30th day on Monday, January 19.
That made Tuesday, January 20, the first definitive day of Shaaban. The announcement came directly from the UAE Council for Fatwa, which crunched the astronomical data alongside traditional sighting methods to make sure the timing was spot on.
The “Winter Ramadan” is Finally Here
We need to talk about the weather because this year is going to be special.
If you’ve lived in the UAE for a while, you probably have memories of Ramadans past that involved 40-degree heat, humidity that glasses up your sunglasses instantly, and thirst that hits different. But the lunar calendar moves backward by about 10 to 11 days each year, and we have finally cycled into the cool zone.
Ramadan 2026 is set to fall right during the transition from winter to early spring.
- The Vibe: Think breezy evenings, outdoor Suhoors, and Iftars under the stars without sweating through your kandura.
- The Fasting Hours: This is the big one. Because we are in the winter/spring window, daylight hours are significantly shorter. Astronomers are predicting fasting windows between 12 to 14 hours. Compare that to the grueling 15-hour stretches of summer Ramadans, and you can see why everyone is calling this the “Easy Ramadan.”
Read More: Ramadan 2026 in UAE: Expected Start Date, Fasting Hours and Eid Holidays
So, When Does Fasting Actually Start?
Okay, get your calendars out. Since Shaaban has started on January 20, we can do some pretty accurate math.
Islamic months are either 29 or 30 days. This puts the start of Ramadan 2026 tentatively around Wednesday, February 18, or Thursday, February 19.
While we will still need the official moon sighting next month to confirm the exact night of the first Taraweeh prayers, you can safely start planning your leave, your family visits, and your Iftar hopping schedule for the third week of February.
Mark Your Diaries: Haq Al Laila is Coming
One of the absolute highlights of Shaaban in the Gulf is Haq Al Laila. If you are new to the region, you do not want to miss this.
Celebrated on the night of mid-Shaaban (the 15th night), Haq Al Laila is a beautiful heritage tradition that focuses on children and community generosity. It’s often compared to Halloween but without the spookiness—think more “community love and sweets.”
With Shaaban starting Jan 20, the 15th night will fall around Monday, February 2, or Tuesday, February 3.
What happens? In traditional neighborhoods across Dubai and the Northern Emirates, you’ll see children dressed in their finest traditional clothes—colorful jalabiyas for the girls and crisp kanduras for the boys. They carry woven bags and go door-to-door singing the famous chant: > “Atona Allah yutikom, beit Makkah yudikum” (Give to us and Allah will reward you and help you visit Mecca).
Pro Tip: If you live in a villa community, stock up on chocolates, nuts, and sweets now. It’s a great way to connect with your neighbors and embrace the local culture.
The “Pre-Ramadan” Rush: What To Do Now?
Shaaban is often called the month of preparation. It’s the bridge between the sacred month of Rajab and the holy month of Ramadan. Here is how Dubai starts shifting gears:
- Spiritual Warm-up: You might notice friends or colleagues fasting voluntarily on Mondays and Thursdays. It’s a common practice to “train” the body for the upcoming month.
- The Grocery Run: Supermarkets are about to turn into war zones (in a good way). Expect dedicated aisles for Vimto, dates, oats, and specialized Ramadan cookware to pop up this weekend. If you want to avoid the rush, get your staples now.
- Decor Mode: The massive crescent lights on Sheikh Zayed Road? They are coming. The festive lights in the malls? They’re being prepped. Now is the time to dig out your own lanterns and prayer corners at home.
The confirmation of Shaaban is a reminder to slow down and get ready. The days are ticking by fast, and before we know it, the cannons will be firing to mark the first Iftar of 2026.
We are looking at a Ramadan with perfect weather, shorter days, and a community spirit that feels stronger than ever.
Stay tuned to Social Kandura! We will be dropping our ultimate guides on local news, the best Iftar spots, things to do, and travel tips for the upcoming Eid break.
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